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OMAHAS MODERN FEATURES Latest Track Appliances to Be Used at Ak-Sar-Ben Course. Lou Walger Re-engaged as Supervisor of Mutuels More Than 100 Horses Now on Grounds. OMAHA, Neb., April 22. When the 1939 season opens at Ak-Sar-Ben Field in Omaha on Saturday, May 27, for twenty-nine days of racing, this progressive track will again present to its patrons the most modern features of any track between Chicago and the Pacific Coast. Chairman W. H. Schellberg today announced that a contract had just been consummated for the return of the Pacific Pari-Mutuel Totalizer system, the automatic ticket printing and recording device which proved so popular on its introduction here last year. Lou Walger, who made his debut as superintendent of the mutuel department last year, has been re-engaged and will return with his entire staff intact. The efficient and courteous manner in which Walger and his assistants handled the mutuel department last year made a distinct impression on Ak-Sar-Ben officials and patrons alike. CAMERA IN USE. The Harvey Eye-in-the-Sky camera will again function to provide photographic decisions for all close finishes, and Earl Harvey has advised Ak-Sar-Ben that this year he will bring his new high speed equipment which will provide prints to the placing judges in about one minutes time. The large projection booth on the mutuel floor will again be in operation, showing enlarged pictures of all close finishes. All of the races will be started from the Bahr starting gate, thereby reducing to the minimum the possibilities of injuries to the horses as they dash away on their speedy journeys. The standard of racing, like the equipment, is expected to set a new high this year, Mr. Schellberg said. Entries already received assure a class of competition never before presented at Ak-Sar-Ben. Racing secretary Ben Holmes first book, already distributed, has won the acclamation of all horsemen who have seen it, and the entries have been pouring in so fast that there is danger of crowding the available accommodations. ixruv n-ir.T.n -inn ai, ground, superintendent Jimmy Ronin has the "finest mile track in the West" in good condition so that they can indulge in early workouts. Secretary Holmes plans to come to Omaha next week to check final plans for the start of the meeting on May 27. After a weeks . stay, he will leave to visit a number of east- . ern tracks.
